Major flooding predicted for parts of Missouri, Illinois

ST. LOUIS — The Corps of Engineers is keeping a close eye on levees in Illinois and Missouri as major flooding is forecast for several towns south of St. Louis.

Making matters worse: Several inches of rain are expected Monday.

Flash flooding has already been blamed for one death in Missouri. Dozens of roads are closed, forcing some southern Missouri school districts to cancel classes Monday.

The Mississippi is flooding significantly from Iowa down through Missouri and Illinois. The worst of it may be yet to come for points south of where the Missouri and Mississippi rivers converge near St. Louis.

Major flooding is forecast for later this week at towns like Chester, Ill., and St. Mary and Cape Girardeau in Missouri. Flooding could approach record levels around the convergence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.